The number of U.S. residential properties with negative equity decreased again in the second quarter of 2012, falling to 22.3 percent from the 23.7 percent at the end of the first quarter, according to a report Wednesday by CoreLogic.

Nevada had the highest percentage of mortgaged properties in negative equity at 59 percent, followed by Florida (43 percent) and Arizona (40 percent). Colorado was at 18 percent.

In the Denver-Aurora-Broomfield market, the rate was 19 percent in the quarter, compared with 23 percent in the first quarter.

Negative equity, often referred to as “underwater” or “upside down,” means that borrowers owe more on their mortgages than their homes are worth. That can occur because of a decline in value, an increase in mortgage debt or a combination of both.

The report said about 600,000 more borrowers reached positive equity in the second quarter, adding to the 700,000 who got above water in the first quarter.

The 7,800-acre Winter Valley Fire in Moffat County was 100 percent contained Tuesday as visible smoke from interior islands showed minimal creeping behavior, according to the Bureau of Land Management.

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper said Tuesday that he respects the decision of Denver Broncos players on Sunday to protest President Donald Trump and that the president’s NFL criticism was a bid to “distract the country” from his policy failures.